The Andy Griffith Show [Paperback]

Richard Kelly (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: John F. Blair Publisher; Rev Sub edition (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895870436
• ISBN-13: 978-0895870438
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Television

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More educational than the Geographic!, February 5, 2002

By 

Kevin Cook "Darlin' Boy" (McDonough, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Andy Griffith Show (Paperback)

First published in 1981, Kelly's book was the first of what has become a groaning bookcase of titles devoted to one of television's most beloved sitcoms. To me, it is still one of the most satisfying. Far from being a gushy trivia tome, Kelly's book takes a scholarly look at the factors - casting, production values, writing style, etc. - that have contributed to TAGS enduring popularity. Fans who don't want to think that hard might find the book, shall we say, dry as dust. Others will find it hard to put down.

The insights of principals on both sides of the camera, from Sheldon Leonard and Aaron Ruben on the production end to Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Jack Dodson on the performance side, are fascinating. The book even includes a working script (season four's "The Sermon for Today") from Griffith's personal collection, which Kelly presents as good illustration of Mayberry's (usually) unhurried pace and the show's character dynamics. He's right, but a more appropriate script to share would have been "Man in a Hurry" (often cited as the series best episode) from season three.

The book closes with summaries of all 249 TAGS episodes, including official script titles, filming sequence and airing order.

All in all, this is a valuable resource for serious TAGS devotees and anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of television production. Those wanting just another feel-good book about the folks of Mayberry had best look elsewhere.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly written and researched, July 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Andy Griffith Show (Paperback)

This book is a very well written and researched volume on the The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry. Kelly uses extensive primary data (interviews- possibly the last for many cast members) to give an indepth account of the greatest of all TV shows(!). If you are serious about Andy/Mayberry this is the book for you.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most thoughtful book about the show, March 14, 2000

By 

edward green (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Andy Griffith Show (Paperback)

This is the first and still definitive study of the show. It contains extensive interviews with the major stars, directors, and producers from the show. It also contains two full scripts: one never seen or performed before and the other "The Sermon for Today" (NOT "Man in a Hurry" as another "reviewer" appears to think!) Also provides concise summaries of all 249 episodes. A terrific buy and a must read!